Emergency Planning in Athletics PDF

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Discussion: Emergency Planning in Athletics Discussion Board #2:

Emergency Planning in Athletics

For this Discussion Board post, you are required to read the following article, entitled National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Emergency Planning in Athletics at http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/EmergencyPlanningInAthletics.p df. 1. Thoroughly explain the need for “Emergency Plans” in athletics. The implementation of an emergency plan is extremely important in the world of athletics. Most of the injuries that occur on the field tend to be relatively minor. However, there can be occurrences of possible limb or life treating injuries. The nature of these injuries are unpredictable and may happen at any time. These injuries require proper emergency treatment and trained medical and allied health professionals to be present to do so. Since these types of injuries have such a low incidence rate, it can be seen that, as the article states, “athletic program personnel may develop a false sense of security over time in the absence of such injuries.” There is also a legal component to the need for emergency plans. It may be of concern the qualifications of the on site personnel, the preparedness of the organization, how they handle these situations, and the actions taken to prevent or treat the emergency. 2. Identify and briefly explain five key components of an “Emergency Plan.” The article states that the emergency personnel should be prepared with an emergency plan, all proper coverage of events (such as EMS), the upkeep of emergency equipment and supplies, well trained emergency personnel, and continuing education for emergency medicine. The main components of an emergency plan are implementation, personnel, equipment, communication, transportation, venue location, emergency care facilities, and documentation. To further explain a few of these points: Personnel- should outline who is responsible for what, be it calling the EMS, tending to the emergency, or grabbing equipment etc. Venue location- emergency personnel should be able to act when need and for this to happen they need to be observant as to cell signal for

calling help, obstacle that could interfere such as locked gates, or the most efficient route for transportation out of the venue. Emergency care facilities- should be outlined and chosen based on proximity and availability to the venue and should be notified in advance of athletic events. Equipment- should be onsite, accessible, and maintained. Communication- access to telecommunications should be ensured. This connected should be checked prior to practice or competition. There should also be a back up communication system in place if in the event the first system fails. The list of emergency contacts should be posted and readily available with all appropriate information such as the address of the venue and directions. 3. What equipment should be available in order to be properly prepared for emergencies in an athletic setting? According to the article, an automatic external defibrillator, or AED, should be on site and available. Defibrillation is considered a component of basic life support. Also, a bag-valve mask for emergency resuscitation should be readily available as well as emergency oxygen and advanced airways. This equipment should be checked on a regular basis and the use of them should be practiced by emergency personnel. 4. How can you apply the information contained in this position statement to your current or future employment setting? The position statement requires a written emergency plan that is comprehensive and flexible and that it must be distributed to all that would/could be involved on site and at emergency care facilities. This is very important. At my future employment setting, I will need to be able to understand from the get go what the plan is for different situations. And if in the event that I could not remember, there will be a written copy that I can refer to that had every laid out that I could possibly need. The statement also says that the plan should identify all the personnel involved, their qualifications, and the training they might still need to complete, This will be applicable to my future employment in the even that I may need to know who exactly on the team is qualified to prescribe medication, or provide a service that I may not be qualified for. I think that the most important statement in this clause is that concerning the emergency equipment. The plan must include what

equipment would be needed and exactly where it should be located if I would need to use it. Perhaps my future employment may be a large compound. In theory, there might be multiple AED located here and the emergency plan could show me where the closest one might be. The next statement concerns communication. I will need to be able to know who to call or summon if there is an emergency. I would need the local emergency number and possibly a communication line to the hospital. These are just a few of the many ways that this position statement can be applicable and helpful in my future employment setting. 5. In general, what is your personal reaction to this article (National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Emergency Planning in Athletics)? Explain in 2-3 sentences. After reading this article, I did see some materials that I had already known such as the need for an AED device onsite and EMS and emergency numbers. However, I never stopped to really think about the legal aspect. The article has a portion where they touch on “Medicolegal interests.” It all falls down to who is responsible, and evaluates how it was done. This is definitely something to keep in mind as I move forward towards my career....